Resiliently coiled chain constructions and links therefor



July l, 1958 P. c. KEILBACH 2,840,983

RESILIENTLY QOILED CHAIN coNsTRUcTIoNs AND LINKS THEREFOR Filed April 23. 1956 2 sheets-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. @4ta C. AiC/464C# BY Arrow/frs July l, 1958 P. c. KEILBACH 2,840,983 v `REISII..IENTI..Y COILED CHAIN CONSTRUCTIONS AND LINKS THEREFOR Filed April 23, 1956 2 Sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. @4%. C, A15/5A c# Arm/M573 United States Patent O RESILIENTLY CILED CHAIN CONSTRUCTIONS AND LINKS THEREFOR This invention relates to chain constructions, links therefor and devices formed thereof, more particularly `being such as can be used in the jewelry trade and for other purposes. Said chain constructions have interconnecting links constructed and arranged to provide spring inuence action against being unwound from initial self-coiling positions.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally irnprove chain constructions of the character described which shall comprise few and simple parts to provide a resilient assembly of interconnecting links suitable for use in the manufacture of jewelry and other purposes, which interconnection of links shall provide .spring action for yieldably retaining the chain constructions against uncoiling from self-coiled spirally wound positions, which shall be inexpensive to manufacture, which shall be readily employed for producing multiple and single Wound self-coiling chain formations, such as, rings or bracelets of attractive appearance and aesthetic appeal and the like, which shall be easily converted into different articles, as for example, a ring into a bracelet, a bracelet into a necklace and vice versa, and which shall be practical and eiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious yand in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims following.

IIn the accompanying drawing in which illustrative embodimentsof the invention are shown:

Fig. l is a perspective view, partly in phantom, showing a spirally wound self-ceiling chain -construction embodying the invention forming a piece of jewelry resiliently retained by spring action of the interconnecting links thereof against unwinding to serve either as a ring, a bracelet or other chain incorporated device, as is clear from Figs. 2 and 3.

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views, partly in phantom, of improved self-ceiling chain constructions shown partially expanded, that is, uncurled from the initial spirally wound self-coiled position shown in Fig. l for forming a helical ring and circular bracelet, respectively.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary enlarged top plan or exterior facing and bottom plan or interior facing views, respectively, of the improved chain construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 stretched flat against said self-coiling link action.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the improved chain construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 showing the adjoining interconnected spring acting links.

yieldably retained in uncoiled stretched flat position against the resilient action of said links.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Fig. 6 but lshowing the links assuming a self-coiling normal position upon release of the uncoiling force.

2,840,983 Patented July 1, 1958 4ice a Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one link shown in Figs. 1 to 7.

lFig. 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view of another type link embodying the invention, one loop of a second link being indicated in broken lines to show the manner of assembly of the links.

Fig. l0 is a top plan view of the link in Fig. 9 showing the protrusion of the under-looped portion beyond the upper-looped portion.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a link blank stamped from sheet material prior to assembly and folding into the links shown in Figs. 9 and l0, and

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 6 but made of links shown in Figs. 9 and l0.

Heretofore, chains and chain constructions have been made with linkages comprising interconnected links thereof joined for practically free and unrestricted swinging movement with relation to each other in at least one direction, or litted for limp or frictionally retarded relative movements. In the present invention, there is provided an improved self-coiling linkage construction having a constant spring influence action effective against forces applied or present to unwind said self-coiling linkage from a normal initial self-coiled position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 20 denotes a selfcoiling chain construction embodying the invention adapted for the jewelry trade and, as shown in Fig. 1, may comprise a resiliently retained spring acting linkage 21, links 21a of which are so constructed, shaped, interconnected, arranged and positioned to act with resilient force against unwinding, that is, uncoiling or uncurling from self-coiled fully or partially spiral wound conditions, as shown in Figs. l, 2 or 3, to stretched flat positions, as is clear from Figs. 4, 5 and 6. `Opposite ends of linkage 21 may be provided with suitably shaped finishing ornaments, for example, ornamental terminals or nials 22 to trim and enhance the appearance of chain construction 20.

Links 21a each may be made of any .suitable material having an inherent degree of resiliency, that is, elasticity, to bending forces and, as here shown when used for articles of jewelry, said links 21a may be made ofmetals, such as, gold, gold alloys or resilient base metal alloy suitable for plating with precious metal.

Each link 21a may be fabricated from wire stock and assembled into a chain construction in the well known manner to have component under-looped portion 2lb and an adjoining upper-looped portion 21C bent across the middle of the link 21a to extend in an overlying relation with respect to the under-loop portion 2lb. As here shown, said link portions 2lb and 21e may be joined through a pair of spaced apart bights 21d provided therebetween and forming a hook engaging means at one end of each link 21a, the opposite end of the latter forming a double eye-coupling supplied by aligning sections 21e and 21f of loop portions 2lb and 21o, respectively, as is clear from Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

Linkage 21 is formed by assembling links 21a in lseries engagement with each of said pair of bights 21d thereof connecting with said loop aligning sections 21e and 211 of the adjoining linkZla in hook and eye fashion.

Loop aligning sections 21e and 21f are positioned when in chain construction assembly in a predetermined spaced relation, the pair of bights 21d serving to resist pressure forces applied to bring sections 21e and 21)c together, that is, reduce said predetermined spaced relation. Said bights 21d also have sucient resiliency, that is, leaf spring properties, to return the loop aligning sections 21e and 21f to said predetermined spaced relation upon release of the pressure. In order to obtain i 3 self-coiling of linkage 21, said pair of bights 21d are proportioned, constructed and arranged to permit maximum spacing of loop aligning sections 21e and 21f when the links are disposed at less than 180 degrees. Movement of linkage 21 from the coiled condition shown in Fig. 7 to the flat condition shown in Fig. 6 where the links 21a are in 180 degree relation compresses loop portions 2lb and 21C at sections Zle and Zlf, respectively, that is, applies a pressure force bringing said sections Zie and Zf closer together against the resiliency of bights 21d. In turn as loop aligning sections Zie and Zlf are brought closer together by relative movement in the bights 21d of a preceding link 21a on being brought toward a 180 degree relation, the bights 2lb of said rst link 21a are likewise compressed and apply an additional pressure force on the sections 21e and 21f of a succeeding link 21a lying therein. This combined action causes linkage 21 to coil, to resist uncoiling forces and to return to a coiled condition on removal of any uncoiling force. Even though the force acting to urge a given pair of links 21a from the flattened, 180 degree relation to the coiled, less than 180 degree relation may be slight, the total resilient effect in a chain having numerous links 21a and of sufficient length to form a bracelet, spiral ring or choker necklace is additive, exerting a considerable coiling force and renders highly satisfactory results.

The above described linkage 2i also permits lateral movement between links 21a, as is clear from Fig. 2 and shown in the full and dot and dash lines in Fig. 3.

In fashioning links Zla from circular wire stock, a decorative appearance may be provided for chain construction by stamping an ornamental design on the upfacing surface of one of the link portions, such for example as seen in the drawings provided on the fiattened under-loop portion 2lb.

A chain construction also embodying the invention is shown in Figs. 9, l0, ll and l2 to comprise a modified linkage 31 formed of links 31a which may be fabricated by stamping link blanks from sheet metal stock. As seen from Figs. 9, l0 and 1l, link blank 30 comprises a pair of loop portions Sib and Sic having elliptical or oval shaped openings, loop portions 32h and 31e being interconnected by a narrow neck which when folded into link 31a forms bight 31d which is comparable to the pair of bights 21d in link Zla. Links 31a in assembly form linkage 31 in which loop aligning sections 31e and 313 of loop portions 3112 and 31C, respectively, coact with bight Sid of adjoining link 31a in the same manner to give the same resilient self-coiling properties described hereinbefore with reference to linkage 21.

As is well understood in the art and as indicated in Fig. 9, linkage 3l may be assembled by inserting one of the loop portions 311 or 31C turned at right angles through the large diameter of the openings in link Sla, loop portions 31h or 31C being proportioned for that purpose, and then folding said loop portions 31h and 31C to bring loop sections 31e and 31j into proper predetermined spaced relation and also to properly shape bight Sld for co-action with loop sections 31e and 3M of the preceding link 31a.

Links 21a likewise may be provided in a flat unfolded condition similar to link blank 30 and assembled by inserting the smaller upper-loop portion 23e through the openings in loop portions 2lb and 21e and then folded into proper shape and configuration to form linkage 2l.

As will be clear from Figs. 4, 6, 7, l0 and 12, links 21a and 31a may be folded so that loop aligning sections Zle and 31e of under-loop portions 2lb and Slb, respectively, project beyond loop aligning sections Zlf and 3U of upper-loop portions 21C and 31C, respectively, in order to provide a minimum over-all thickness at the end of the links engaged in bights 21d and 31d, respectively, for more eicient coaction therebetween.

The utility of the invention will now be apparent.V Links 21a and 31a are assembled into linkages 21 and 31 of desired length to the ends of which may be added finials 22 to form self-coiling spiral finger rings, bracelets or other jewelry items as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Linkage 21 when made of solid gold forms particularly attractive articles of jewelry or when made of a resilient brassniay be plated with gold, silver or rhodium for use in popular priced costume jewelry.

Loop portions 2lb, 21e, and 3111 and 31e may be made square or rectangular in shape in which case the lateral movement between the links will be limited and coiling will be confined to a single plane.

It is thus seen that there are provided resiliently coiled chain constructions and links therefor whereby the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A plurality of links interconnected to form a resilient self-coiling chain construction, each link including an under-looped portion and an upper-looped portion extending to overlie said under-looped portion, the latter extending beyond said upper-looped portion, a bight means interconnecting said under-looped and upperlooped portions and having folded leaf spring properties, said upper-looped and under-looped portions each having end sections extending through the bight means of an adjoining link forming a double eye-coupling, said loop sections being in a predetermined spaced relation to each other, said bight means serving to resist pressure forces applied to bring said end sections closer together, said bight means of one link and end sections of an adjoining link being so constructed and arranged to permit maximum spacing of said loop sections of said first link when the links are disposed at less than degrees providing the self-coiling action of the chain construction and movement of the links toward a 180 degree uncoiling relation `causing compression of said sections within said bight means applying a resilient force for returning the chain construction to said self-coiling condition.

2. The resilient self-coiling chain construction defined in claim l in which said links are made of wire stock bent and stamped into a desired shape, and said bight means is in the form of a pair of bights.

3. The resilient self-coiling chain construction defined in claim l in which said links are stamped and shaped from sheet stock with said bight means being in the form of a single strip interconnecting the looped portions.

4. Links interconnected to form a chain having component parts of adjoining links in spring engagement applying a steady continuous winding resilient pressure force acting therebetween to normally self-coil the chain in spiral fashion yieldable to uncoiling on manually applying force to at least two links of the chain against said chain self-coiling spring engagement action, said component parts of each link including a pair of overlying loop portions interconnected by a resilient bight means forming a leaf spring structure, one of said loop portions of each link extending beyond the other loop portion thereof and being spaced a predetermined distance from each other, said loop portions of one link extending through and coacting with the bight means of an adjoining link producing said spring engagement self-coiling action.

5. Av plurality of links interconnected to form a resilient self-coilingV chainvrconstruction, each link having a resilient bight means formed on one end thereof, underloop and upper-loop portions extending from said bight means in a predetermined normally spaced overlying relation, said under-loop extending beyond said upper-loop portion, said under-loop and upper-loop portions of one link passing through the bight means of the adjoining link, said bight means of one link and said loop portions of said adjoining link being so constructed and arranged to permit maximum spacing of said loop portions when the links are disposed at less than 180 degrees and causing compression of said loop portions against the resilient action of the bight means on movement of the links 6 toward a 180 degree uncoiling relation, said compression of the loop portions applying a resilient force for returning the chain construction into said self-coiling condition. l

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 416,497 Redwood Dec. 3, 1889 1,257,398 Roach Feb. 26, 1918 1,372,693 Hodges Mar. 29, 1921 

